A You already have the best winch on your truck in my view and in the view of many other off-roaders. Get the Warn 8274 rebuilt, or rebuild it yourself. The electrical parts could be damaged by the heat, but I would wager that the gears and case are fine. Warn offers a seal and a brake kit as well as the individual parts. A good source for these Warn parts is Clemson 4 Wheel Center (800.257.4294, www.clemson4wheel.com), which has rebuilt many winches and can sell you parts and give advice for your rebuild.
When it comes to winches, you do get what you pay for. There are cheap winches, and I'd hate to base my recovery on anything "cheap." I think if you go through your old 8274 you'll have a winch that will last a lifetime.
One last thing: I consider my winch my own personal Special Forces unit. When I'm in it neck-deep, I want a Special Forces unit from the USA coming to get me out, something like an 8274.
Because so many people are interested in winches these days and the market is flooded with variety and price, I chose your letter as our Nuts, I'm Confused winner. You'll be receiving a Warn Winching Accessory Kit that includes a 4x8-foot tree trunk strap, two clevis/D-shackles, a 19,000-pound snatch block, a 30-foot recovery strap, and some Warn gloves, all packed in a camo carrying case. Warn has long supported four-wheelers of all sorts. It's an American-based company and makes products that have brought many of us home when nothing else could. If you're interested in finding out more about Warn, check out the website www.warn.com.
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